Orange Cupcakes with Orange Cream Cheese Frosting

Orange Cupcakes with Orange Cream Cheese Frosting

(I talked about this recipe here)

for the cupcakes:

3 cups all-purpose flour
1 tablespoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
14 tablespoons unsalted butter, room temperature
2 cups granulated sugar
4 large eggs
2 teaspoons pure orange extract
1 tablespoon orange zest
1 1/2 cups whole milk

for the frosting:

8 ounces cream cheese, softened
4 tablespoons unsalted butter, room temperature
2 teaspoons orange zest
1 teaspoon pure orange extract
2 cups powdered sugar

to make the cupcakes:

Preheat oven to 350.
Line 24 muffin cups with paper liners.
Whisk flour, baking powder, and salt together in a medium-sized bowl. Set aside.
In a large bowl, beat the butter and sugar together with an electric mixer set on medium speed. Beat until light and fluffy - about 2 minutes.
Add the eggs to the butter and sugar mixture 1 at a time, beating well after each addition.
Beat in the orange extract and zest.
On low speed, alternate between beating in the flour mixture and the milk, starting and ending with flour mixture.
Divide the batter among the prepared muffin cups.
Bake at 350 for 20 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
Let the cupcakes cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to finish cooling.

to make the frosting:

In a large bowl, beat together the cream cheese and the butter using an electric mixer on medium speed. Beat until light and creamy - 2-3 minutes.
Beat in the orange zest and extract.
On low speed, beat in the powdered sugar in two additions, beating until smooth.
Spread the frosting over the cupcakes, or transfer to a pastry bag and pipe onto cupcakes.

makes 24 cupcakes.
source: Sweet Gratitude: Delicious Ways to Bake a Thank You for the Really Important People in Your Life by Judith Sutton